Core Data Services (CDS) views are a foundational element in SAP HANA Live, providing real-time, virtual data models directly on top of the HANA database. These views enable advanced reporting, analytics, and application development in SAP S/4HANA and earlier SAP HANA-based systems.
However, like any complex system, CDS views can encounter issues that affect data accuracy, performance, or availability. This article provides a practical guide to troubleshooting common CDS view issues, helping SAP consultants and developers maintain system stability and performance.
¶ 1. Understanding the Architecture
Before diving into troubleshooting, it's crucial to understand how CDS views fit into the SAP HANA Live architecture:
- CDS Views: Virtual data models created in ABAP or HANA Studio (SQL-based).
- SAP HANA Live: A content package of ready-to-use CDS views, primarily for analytical purposes.
- Consumption Layer: Used by applications like SAP Fiori, SAP BW, or third-party BI tools.
¶ 2. Common Issues and Their Root Causes
- Report returns empty or incomplete data.
- Unexpected null values in key fields.
- Data not loaded into underlying base tables.
- Incorrect joins or filters in the CDS view.
- Data authorization issues (e.g., missing analytical privileges).
- Check base tables via SE16 or HANA Studio.
- Validate join conditions and filters in the CDS definition.
- Use transaction SU53 or ST01 to analyze authorization failures.
- CDS view execution is slow.
- Timeout errors in reporting tools.
- Complex joins across large tables.
- Lack of indexes or proper partitioning.
- Missing annotations for efficient execution.
- Use transaction ST05 (SQL Trace) or PlanViz in HANA Studio.
- Analyze execution plans for long-running queries.
- Optimize view design: avoid nested CDS views when possible.
- Consider creating table functions or materialized views for static data.
- CDS view fails to activate.
- Red or yellow errors in Eclipse or ADT (ABAP Development Tools).
- Incorrect syntax (e.g., missing associations, annotations).
- Circular references between views.
- Missing base objects (e.g., renamed or deleted tables/views).
- Review error logs in Eclipse/ADT.
- Check dependencies via transaction SDDLAR (Data Definition Language Artifact Report).
- Use Eclipse’s syntax checker and revalidate dependent views.
- BI tools (e.g., SAP Analytics Cloud, Web Intelligence) show outdated or incorrect metadata.
- Fields are missing in reports.
- CDS metadata not refreshed in BI clients.
- Changes in CDS views not propagated to analytical layers.
- Re-register or refresh the data source in the reporting tool.
- Use RSRTS_ODP_DIS and RSRTS_ODP_ADMIN to manage ODP metadata.
- Clear metadata caches if necessary.
| Tool / Transaction |
Purpose |
| SE11 / SE16 |
View underlying tables |
| ST05 / SQL Trace |
Performance analysis |
| SU53 / ST01 |
Authorization analysis |
| SDDLAR |
Analyze CDS dependencies |
| Eclipse / ADT |
CDS development and syntax checking |
| RSRTS_ODP_DIS |
ODP data source diagnostics |
| PlanViz |
Visualize query execution plan |
- Follow naming conventions and layer guidelines (Interface, Composite, Consumption).
- Use annotations correctly (
@Analytics.query, @AccessControl.authorizationCheck).
- Keep CDS views modular and reusable—avoid over-complexity.
- Implement unit testing and data validation for critical CDS views.
- Regularly review HANA performance metrics and clean up unused views.
CDS views are at the heart of modern SAP HANA-based applications, and their health directly impacts reporting and analytics performance. By applying systematic troubleshooting techniques—covering syntax, performance, data integrity, and authorization—you can resolve issues efficiently and maintain a robust SAP HANA Live environment.
Always stay updated with the latest SAP Notes and use SAP’s diagnostic tools to your advantage. With good practices and careful monitoring, most CDS view issues can be resolved before they impact end-users.